The Modi government has sent a political signal by pushing the legislation in the House of Representatives. The Parliament witnessed the same drama exactly one year ago with the Lok Sabha passing the Bill and Rajya Sabah stalling it. The present revised Bill was drafted after the Opposition members suggested changes.

The political parties are in a quandary as to how to deal with the Bill. As Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad pointed out in the Lok Sabha: “What is this dichotomy? No one in this House said that he supports Triple Talaq. Yet they (Opposition) oppose the very Bill that outlaws this condemnable practice.” This is because no party would like to appear to be siding with the injustice to Muslim women but they also want the votes of the Muslim men.

The Bill comes after the Supreme Court declared Talaq-e-biddat as illegal in a judgment in August last. Ravi Shankar Prasad has claimed repeatedly that cases of instant Triple Talaq have been reported despite the Apex Court declaring it illegal. Over 100 cases had come up since the verdict and hence, the need for legislation, he asserts.

The vocal opposition to the Bill were witnessed in the Lok Sabha once again when it was passed amidst noisy scenes last week. The speeches of the opposition and the ruling party were on the expected lines depending on their party affiliation. Several leaders made moving speeches from both sides. The divide was clear when many Opposition parties including the AIADMK, TRS, RJD, TDP, TMC, SP, AIMIM, IUML and the BJD besides the Congress and the CPI(M) demanded that the Bill be sent to a joint select committee in the Lok Sabha debate. The Congress and the AIADMK even walked out. The BJP had the support of only its allies, the Shiv Sena and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), to push the Bill.

The main thrust of the Opposition was that the bill was passed for political gains. The ruling party, on its part accused the opposition of stalling the bill for exactly the same, i.e., political gains. The unfortunate result is that the Bill is stuck. This despite the fact that the government has improved on the earlier Bill and incorporated some suggestions made by various groups. The Opposition pointed out that the Bill criminalizes an essentially civil matter. They argue that once the husband goes to jail all possibilities of reconciliation will end. The BJP, on the other hand, is opposed to sending the Bill to a joint select committee on the grounds that it will further delay an important legislation. The government is keen to get it passed as soon as possible as it will give the party some electoral advantage.

As to the complexity of the issue, it is pure politics. Every political party wants the votes of the Muslims. Even the BJP is looking for the incremental votes it might need in the 2019. Muslims have a decisive presence in 90 districts, 100 Lok Sabha constituencies and 720 Assembly seats all across the country.

Secondly, the BJP would like to divide the Muslim votes. The party has put the Congress and other opposition parties who do not want to antagonise the Muslims in a catch-22 situation by forcing a reform through the Triple Talaq bill, as the opposition conveniently prefers the matter to be dealt with by the community internally.

No doubt it would have been ideal if both houses of Parliament had passed the Bill unanimously but with elections round the corner, it is not going to happen. Either way, it is a win-win situation for the BJP.If the Bill were to be passed, the Government would tom-tom its success. If the Opposition blocks it, the Government would malign the opposition parties as pseudo-secular and real enemies of Muslim women. The ultimate sufferers are the Muslim women who continue to face the “Talaq Talaq, Talaq” three times for a divorce.

Political parties should realise that this is not the only issue for empowerment of Muslim women they need better health, education and job facilities. A lip-service of sympathy alone will not get them votes. (IPA Service)